Local party heads react to Vitter

U.S. Senator David Vitter's actions and his own campaign words are coming back to haunt the Louisiana Republican after his phone number was linked to a Washington, D.C., escort service. Michael McHale is the chairman of the Calcasieu Parish Democratic Party. McHale says, "I think the hypocrisy is really considerable. Here's a fellow who ran as a family values republican. This flies in the face of any family values I know of."

But for John Hoffpauir, chairman of the Calcasieu Parish Republican Party, Vitter's admission of a past indiscretion is old news. Hoffpauir says, "This is not something David has kept from us. This was out even when he was considering running for governor." And Hoffpauir is ready to forgive and forget. Hoffpauir says, "As far as I'm concerned he has taken care of it with the people he needs to take care of it with and that's good enough for me."

But even Vitter's public apology is not enough for McHale. McHale says, "I think he should resign the office. I think this is going to hurt Louisiana. It's going to hurt his clout on Capitol Hill considerably, particularly at a time when we need it the most, especially when we're trying to, recover from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita." Hoffpauir says, "David is a man of integrity. Did he make a mistake? Yes."

So far, Vitter's is the first lawmaker known to be linked to the so called D.C. madam. In an interview with CNN, the alleged madam said she didn't remember Vitter's, but she thinks he used her company's service in 2001.

13-year-old Alyssa Jones was hit by a car when she tried to cross the street to board her school bus Friday morning. She was airlifted to a Lafayette General Hospital in critical condition. Monday her family said she is starting to feel better, but the past weekend has been a difficult one for Alyssa. With multiple broken bones and surgeries, Alyssa's family knows she's tough enough to pull through. "With everything that I saw... I thought we were going...

13-year-old Alyssa Jones was hit by a car when she tried to cross the street to board her school bus Friday morning. She was airlifted to a Lafayette General Hospital in critical condition. Monday her family said she is starting to feel better, but the past weekend has been a difficult one for Alyssa. With multiple broken bones and surgeries, Alyssa's family knows she's tough enough to pull through. "With everything that I saw... I thought we were going...

August of 2011, Amy Tonguis made a frantic call to 911 after her husband, Benjamin Tonguis, found their 9-day-old in the freezer. Originally, police say Amy told investigators she must have done it. But, as questioning went on, police say the parents pointed the blame at each other.

August of 2011, Amy Tonguis made a frantic call to 911 after her husband, Benjamin Tonguis, found their 9-day-old in the freezer. Originally, police say Amy told investigators she must have done it. But, as questioning went on, police say the parents pointed the blame at each other.

The state Agriculture Commissioner said today that the LSU AgCenter expects to start cloning cannabis from larger “mother” plants in June to create medical marijuana. Dr. Mike Strain, who heads the agriculture and forestry department, said his agency had received $80,000 from an LSU vendor to begin harvesting tissue for the state’s medical marijuana operation. Medical marijuana is not funded in next year’s state budget, which starts on July 1st. So the de...More >>

The state Agriculture Commissioner said today that the LSU AgCenter expects to start cloning cannabis from larger “mother” plants in June to create medical marijuana. Dr. Mike Strain, who heads the agriculture and forestry department, said his agency had received $80,000 from an LSU vendor to begin harvesting tissue for the state’s medical marijuana operation. Medical marijuana is not funded in next year’s state budget, which starts on July 1st. So the de...More >>

It's been nearly a year since a young teacher at Lagrange High School was arrested under suspicion of inappropriately touching a student. Charges have since been rejected, but 32 year old Raymond Johnson says he’s still suffering the consequences. Johnson loved his job teaching at Lagrange High School. But then he was arrested after allegations of indecent behavior with a juvenile, which he says are not true. Johnson's life changed dramatically... "Last...

It's been nearly a year since a young teacher at Lagrange High School was arrested under suspicion of inappropriately touching a student. Charges have since been rejected, but 32 year old Raymond Johnson says he’s still suffering the consequences. Johnson loved his job teaching at Lagrange High School. But then he was arrested after allegations of indecent behavior with a juvenile, which he says are not true. Johnson's life changed dramatically... "Last...

The District attorney's office has released Amy Tonguis' 911 phone call, reporting that she found her baby in a freezer. Tristan Tonguis, a 9-day old baby, died from being in the freezer. Amy and Benjamin Tonguis, the baby's father, blamed each other for the death. To this day, the case remains unsolved. Copyright 2018 KPLC. All rights reserved.

The District attorney's office has released Amy Tonguis' 911 phone call, reporting that she found her baby in a freezer. Tristan Tonguis, a 9-day old baby, died from being in the freezer. Amy and Benjamin Tonguis, the baby's father, blamed each other for the death. To this day, the case remains unsolved. Copyright 2018 KPLC. All rights reserved.